DESCRIPTION:
“She was born in Marvel, Arkansas, and delivered by Dr. Wise,” it says on Astra Kelly’s website. “Early interest in music was fueled by family jams, school choirs, and formal music studies.”

Classical and jazz trained, Kelly began her professional singing career after taking note of Chicago's subway performers while en route to her job. After working on her guitar technique, and with a few pointers from a veteran subway performer, Astra earned 50 dollars in two hours and quit her job.

Her subway performances began not only to draw a steady audience but also a steady request for copies of recorded material. Her first CD, Stones, Bones and Boxes, self-released in December 1996, was recorded in her apartment using professional equipment and engineers who later became friends.

Kelly later moved to Southern California and to San Diego in September 2006. Her albums include Subtown Rituals, Acoustic Soul Live, and the aforementioned Stones, Bones and Boxes and a 2004 EP.